Exodus
Hearing the book of Exodus
Similarly to how we studied the Gospel of Mark, each of us will choose another faith tradition's text to read through. We have chosen Exodus as the Hebrew (Jewish) Scripture because it contains a central metaphor of the Jewish faith, the story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt.
Below you will find a YouTube channel of the audio telling of the book of Exodus. And also a link to read the book of Exodus on-line.
Journal Writing:
Please keep notes in your journal about what interests you in each chapter.
What questions does it bring up?
Is there anything that surprises you?
How does it connect with your own life story?
How would the author of this text describe God's relationship to humanity?
Do you agree?
Below you will find a YouTube channel of the audio telling of the book of Exodus. And also a link to read the book of Exodus on-line.
Journal Writing:
Please keep notes in your journal about what interests you in each chapter.
What questions does it bring up?
Is there anything that surprises you?
How does it connect with your own life story?
How would the author of this text describe God's relationship to humanity?
Do you agree?
Click here to read Exodus online
Summary
Exodus begins with a depiction
of Israel's servitude in Egypt and God's selection of Moses to move Israel out
of that servitude. Pharaoh contests this intention of God, and God responds by
sending plagues on Egypt that culminate with the death of the firstborn and
deliverance at the sea. Israel prepares for this deliverance by founding the
Passover and responds with triumphant singing after the deliverance. Israel
journeys to Sinai, murmuring along the way. At Sinai, Israel receives the Ten
Commandments and the covenant relationship is established. While Moses is
receiving additional instructions from God on Sinai-notably the designs for the
tabernacle-Israel rebels by building the golden calf. Moses intercedes
successfully for Israel, and God relents and recommits to the covenant. Israel
then builds the tabernacle as instructed.
So What?
The foundational narratives of the book of Exodus seek to articulate the
Lord's claim to Israel's allegiance and to shape the identity of Israel, its
liturgical practices, and its legal traditions.
Where Do I Find It?
Exodus is the second book of the Old Testament. It follows Genesis and
precedes Leviticus.
Who Wrote It?
Traditionally Moses is understood as the author, although the book of Exodus
does not make that direct assertion. While many interpreters concede great
antiquity to many sections of the book and even consider Moses at the core of
its origin, Moses is not seen as the single author in a contemporary sense of
authorship. One view is to posit extensive documents that were later merged
into the common narrative we now have. Another view posits continued editorial
development with concerns of later generations periodically reflected in the
narrative, with the result being layers within the final narrative rather than
the merger of preexistent narratives.
When Was It Written?
Dating the book of Exodus is interconnected with the issue of authorship. If
Moses is regarded as the sole author, then the date of composition is several
centuries before the time of David. If one adopts the documentary hypothesis,
then the earliest strand was written in the period of David and Solomon and the
latest in the exilic or postexilic period, with final editorial work being
completed in the postexilic era. If one understands the origins of book along a
more supplementary model, then composition extends from a time prior to David
to the postexilic period.
What's It About?
Exodus narrates Israel's deliverance from Egyptian tyranny, the establishment
of God's covenant with Israel, the reception of core commandments at Sinai, the
paradigmatic rebellion of Israel in the golden calf incident, and the obedient
building of the tabernacle through which God would be present to accompany
Israel to the promised land.
How Do I Read It?
The book of Exodus can be read as testimony. Exodus narrates the movement
from servitude in Egypt to serving Yahweh, the Lord. The preface to the Ten
Commandments sets the core message: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (20:2). From this core,
Israel forges practices of social justice and liturgical commemoration. The
book also attests to Israel's persistent and increasing rebellion against
serving Yahweh. The foundational narratives of Israel's rebellion and obedience
are bracketed by Yahweh's persistent fidelity to the covenant with Israel.
Readers are to understand these narratives as anchor points for shaping the
covenantal story from generation to generation.
AUTHOR: Richard W. Nysse, Professor of Old Testament
Exodus begins with a depiction
of Israel's servitude in Egypt and God's selection of Moses to move Israel out
of that servitude. Pharaoh contests this intention of God, and God responds by
sending plagues on Egypt that culminate with the death of the firstborn and
deliverance at the sea. Israel prepares for this deliverance by founding the
Passover and responds with triumphant singing after the deliverance. Israel
journeys to Sinai, murmuring along the way. At Sinai, Israel receives the Ten
Commandments and the covenant relationship is established. While Moses is
receiving additional instructions from God on Sinai-notably the designs for the
tabernacle-Israel rebels by building the golden calf. Moses intercedes
successfully for Israel, and God relents and recommits to the covenant. Israel
then builds the tabernacle as instructed.
So What?
The foundational narratives of the book of Exodus seek to articulate the
Lord's claim to Israel's allegiance and to shape the identity of Israel, its
liturgical practices, and its legal traditions.
Where Do I Find It?
Exodus is the second book of the Old Testament. It follows Genesis and
precedes Leviticus.
Who Wrote It?
Traditionally Moses is understood as the author, although the book of Exodus
does not make that direct assertion. While many interpreters concede great
antiquity to many sections of the book and even consider Moses at the core of
its origin, Moses is not seen as the single author in a contemporary sense of
authorship. One view is to posit extensive documents that were later merged
into the common narrative we now have. Another view posits continued editorial
development with concerns of later generations periodically reflected in the
narrative, with the result being layers within the final narrative rather than
the merger of preexistent narratives.
When Was It Written?
Dating the book of Exodus is interconnected with the issue of authorship. If
Moses is regarded as the sole author, then the date of composition is several
centuries before the time of David. If one adopts the documentary hypothesis,
then the earliest strand was written in the period of David and Solomon and the
latest in the exilic or postexilic period, with final editorial work being
completed in the postexilic era. If one understands the origins of book along a
more supplementary model, then composition extends from a time prior to David
to the postexilic period.
What's It About?
Exodus narrates Israel's deliverance from Egyptian tyranny, the establishment
of God's covenant with Israel, the reception of core commandments at Sinai, the
paradigmatic rebellion of Israel in the golden calf incident, and the obedient
building of the tabernacle through which God would be present to accompany
Israel to the promised land.
How Do I Read It?
The book of Exodus can be read as testimony. Exodus narrates the movement
from servitude in Egypt to serving Yahweh, the Lord. The preface to the Ten
Commandments sets the core message: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (20:2). From this core,
Israel forges practices of social justice and liturgical commemoration. The
book also attests to Israel's persistent and increasing rebellion against
serving Yahweh. The foundational narratives of Israel's rebellion and obedience
are bracketed by Yahweh's persistent fidelity to the covenant with Israel.
Readers are to understand these narratives as anchor points for shaping the
covenantal story from generation to generation.
AUTHOR: Richard W. Nysse, Professor of Old Testament